33-year-old andrew ellerbe of north garnett street in north philadelphia. his alleged accomplice is still at large. "action news" reporter john rawlins has the details of what happened. >> reporter: police say ellerbe was wielding a gun when he tried to rob this pizza shop late last night but there is an odd twist. it was later discovered that gun was loaded with just blanks. an off duty detective the lone customer in this pizza shop when two men come in. one puts a revolver to the detective's head, takes $20 from his hand and orders him to the ground. the police say the men focus on the store's employees. the detective pulls his gun and identifies himself good then there was a gun battle. the perpetrator fired at least two shots at the detective and the detective returned fire. >> reporter: the detective's return fire slams into glass and the gunman who flees and dies outside. >> at least two shots were fired from the suspect at point blank range at the officer. the officer is extremely lucky

that he was not shot. he's extremely lucky he was not killed. >> reporter: locals baffled anyone would target this shop saying it's known as popular eating place for police. >> stupid to go after near. everybody knows there's police here. there's always cops around marked unmarked, bicycles. >> reporter: the robber's gun load with blank cartridges not bullets something that was unknown at the time the detective was shot at. >> he did what he had to do. he was brave. his actions were nothing short of brave. unfortunately somebody died but he protected his life and the lives of others. >> reporter: did ellerbe know his gun was loaded with blanksblanks and if not why. >> a burlington county man has been accused of setting a fire that damaged 17 homes in deptford. police say 31-year-old christopher long started the blaze in his girlfriend's

bedroom at the chestnut lane apartments in february. the flames caused widespread damage throughout the on delsea drive t long has turned himself in to face charges of aggravated arson and criminal mischief. an allentown woman charged in the death of her one-year-old son will now head to trial. 19-year-old19-year-old janisha perry tossed her son off a bridge on may third. perry has been charged with homicide. they came to 22nd and market street in center city philadelphia today to observe the second anniversary of the tragic building collapse that killed six people and injured 14 more. and they came the find out about the latest plans for the memorial park. families of victims heard from the park's architect and the memorial artist. we saw renderings of what will be a simple respectful and

stark statement of remembrance with six windows for each victim. and we heard from memorial committee cochair nancy winkler whose daughter ann brian was killed here on that fateful day. she spoke of the memorial that will rise from the ashes of tragedy. >> we will add beauty and hope to a place that is now associated with horror, a sad and shameful day for all of philadelphia. >> mayor michael nutter disclosed that the city of philadelphia will donate $300,000 to the memorial. organizers say they now have close to a million toward their goal of $1.3 million. and on this two year anniversary one of the survivors finally met the man who saved her life. "action news" reporter sharrie williams has that part of the story. >> reporter: maria has a surprise visitor. >> we've met before but i don't know if you remember me. >> reporter: she doesn't recognize the face but she's reminded where she first met

him. >> i was the fireman who found you. >> thank you. >> you're welcome, you're welcome. >> reporter: she's ukrainian and speaks very little english is meeting the fireman who saved her life two years ago. now a chief he was then captain john o'neill with the philadelphia fire and rescue department. >> i knew that she was a fighter from the beginning because she wanted to -- when we did release her she did want to get right up and out. >> reporter: june 5th, 2013 a building being demolished in center city collapsed. the debris fell onto the neighboring salvation army thrift store turning it into a pile of rubble. under it all was maria. [speaking foreign language] >> the interpreter: i tried to call for help she says but the engines were running and too loud. i was waiting for a moment when it was quiet. that moment finally came. >> i heard help. >> reporter: the chief followed the voice and then he saw maria move her head. >> i said somebody is alive here and then just like that i dropped back down, i started to remove stuff and like a

surgical team, they were able to extricate her rather rapidly. >> reporter: maria had been trapped for 13 hours. [speaking foreign language] >> the interpreter: i was praying inside myself that they would find me. i never gave up hope. now a double amputee she is still in rehab but she's grateful chief o'neill finally heard her that day under the rubble. [speaking foreign language] >> the interpreter: my life now sometimes is very difficult she says but i am thankful this person saved my life and i can enjoy my kids and see my granddaughter. in west philadelphia, sharrie williams, channel6 "action news"." >> the second viewing has just begun for beau biden. this was the scene earlier today at saint anthony of padua church in wilmington as an honor guard brought biden's flag draped casket into the house of worship. biden died of brain cancer last weekend. once again beau's father vice

president joe biden and dr. jill biden received well wishers with grace and warmth. outside the church tonight "action news" reporter chad pradelli. chad. >> reporter: jim the second viewing began just a couple minutes ago as people continue to make their way into saint anthony of padua to pay respects to beau biden. earlier today hundreds gathered and waited hours to get inside the church and it really shows what kind of man beau was and the lives he touched a motorcade escorted the casket to saint anthony's of padua around noon. an eight member military honor guard carried it into the church. an hour later vice president joe biden and family arrived. they greeted mourners, a who's who list of politics too came to pay respects. >> he was beloved. people -- it's its sad. >> sweet polite, kind, loving smart, unassuming all the things you would want your kid to be. >> reporter: the former

attorney general from delaware committed much of his life to the first state. people from all walks of life waited hours to say goodbye. the words seemed to echo, great father, humble son and dedicated man. >> it says something about his commitment to delawareans and the small guy the little guy that he has touched. >> i loved joe and they loved beau and what they have done for our state. it's just such a loss. >> reporter: monty haman has known beau since they were in grade school. he called beau biden's untimely death from brain cancer a tragedy. biden leaves behind a wife and two children but also much more. >> wanted to pay my respects. the young man has done a lot of good the a shame he's gone this early but he's left legacy that many of us will continue to strive for. >> reporter: and there will be a mass here tomorrow followed by a burial. that begins at 10:30 a.m.

president barack obama will deliver the eulogy. i'm live in wilmington, delaware, chad pradelli, channel6 "action news." jim. >> thank you, chad. and tomorrow you can watch the entire funeral service online at 6abc.com. our live streaming coverage begins at 10:30. we also posted a gallery of beau biden's life and his career. it is all there at 6abc.com. delaware state police are looking for the armed robber who struck a dollar general store today. it happened on the 2400 block of kirkwood highway in elsmere. the man held up employees at 8:00 this morning just as they opened for the day. police searched the area with canines but couldn't find a suspect. at least nobody was hurt. the financially troubled borough of colwyn is making moves to get out of debt. today the borough's economic development secretary appointed a recovery team which includes business consultants financial advisers and attorneys. the group has 120 days to

develop a recovery plan and propose it to the mayor and council. colwyn has been designated as if thisly distressed due to mismanagement and reckless spending. atlantic city firefighters rallied at city hall today hoping to save dozens of their jobs. those jobs are hanging in the balance while the federal government decides whether to approve a grant. if that grant is rejected, 85 firefighters could be laid off. atlantic city mayor doan guardian tells "action news" he expects the grant to be approved. coming up on "action news" tonight, the graduates of one philadelphia class have one thing in common: they all have jobs or plans to go to college: details on the new program with a 100 percent success rate. and move over greg luzinski there's a new bull in town. we'll show you what happened when the phillies legend met this rising rookie. >> and we are looking at sky six live from temple university of the city skyline. a lot of sunshine out there

and you can expect more of that over the upcoming weekend. we'll talk about those warm temperatures in accuweather. >> those stories and much more when "action news" continues.

>> philadelphia teachers union along with school nurses picketed outside an elementary school in germantown this morning. they're protesting a district proposal to hire contractors to replace nurses in schools. union officials say having consistent medical professionals inside philadelphia schools is essential because many children suffer from chronic health problems like asthma. anybody interested in seeing pope francis when he

visits philadelphia and that will be at least a few million people, will also have a chance to see treasures from the vatican. the franklin institute will host the new exhibit featuring artwork by michelangelo, bone fragments of saint's peter and paul and re-creations of the papal chambers. the vatican splendors display opens september 19th just before the pope is due to arrive in philadelphia for the world meeting of families. all thoughts were about a bright future today for 11 newly minuted graduates in philadelphia. "action news" reporter eva pilgrim has their story. >> reporter: these young men are the first graduating class of the new welding program at randolph career and technical school. >> it's an amazing opportunity for my future. >> didn't have the opportunity to be here. >> it's an eye opener. allowed me to understand what welding really was and i appreciate it today each of them 11 in total got their trade certificates showing they are certified in specific

areas of wedding. their families watched on many with tears in their eyes. >> i'm very proud of him. he's come a very long way. >> by me leaving industry knowing that the demand was great i've kind of molded these students into what was needed out there. >> reporter: and the demand is clear every student in this class is either going to college or already has a job lined up after graduation. teacher joe williams says showing these students his trade is his way of giving back something he hopes they will pass on. >> you can do this, stay in this program i will show you thousand make $40,000 a year, i will show you how to have benefits, i will show you ho you how to keep busy and give back to the world. >> reporter: for these students learning how to weld is more than just about getting a job. >> i never thought i could actually have a career out of this. >> being born and raised in basically the ghetto it's just a great opportunity to just get out a great opportunity. >> to strive and become

something greater. >> reporter: a chance to become something, the opportunity to follow their dreams. eva pilgrim, channel6 "action news"."

>> the giants have come to town phillies tonight at citizens bank park. >> it should be a pretty good test tonight. life is about to get harder for the phillies. the reigning world series champions giants in town. the giants is lost five in a row. >> we know how good they are. they've won the world series last year but at the same time i was excited to see what we did versus the reds especially out of civilly. hopefully we can continue that. >> dustin mcgowan back up with the big league squad. he was recalled after jake diekman was optioned. >> the bull. >> i'm the bull. >> i'm the bull. >> i'm the original bull.

[laughter] >> you're the -- >> i'm the big. >> move over greg luzinski there's a new bull in town. >> a long drive. outta' here. home run the bull. >> 45 years after earning the nickname the bull for hitting towering home runs like this the phillies have another bull running around their outfield. rookie odubel herrera has been called the little bull since he was a kid growing up in that venezuela because he was powerful and strong. you say your dad gave you the nickname. >> yeah, when i was little my dad called me the toro, the bull kind of unique that all of a sudden it's been so many years, mr. herrera comes along and all of a sudden we got the little bull. >> who is the real bull. >> the real bull is luzinski. >> this doesn't do it for you. >> no, he's the new generation bull. i played with the real bull. >> not only do the phillies call herrera by his nickname

but they have taken this a step further. in the dugout during home and away games they have this doll, yeah a little bull on the bench for good luck. this is no bull. >> everybody on the team like the bull, you know. >> do you like it? >> yeah, i like it. >> so, the doll represents the little bull. >> so we should get you a real big one like you get at a carnival. >> yeah i need the big one on the bench. >> well, this little bull on the bench which herrera got from a phils fan is keeping things loose during a tough season and his teammates have also adopted another tradition for el torito. >> every time he gets a hit what do you do. >> do like this or like this that. means the bull. >> like that. >> how do you do it again? like that. >> yeah. >> hey, i guess that settles it. there's no more bull fighting over the nickname. jeff skversky, channel6 "action news." >> good stuff there. to the nba finals golden state strikes first now cleveland must respond without

one of its big guns. in overtime of last night's game one the cavs lost khayree irving. late this afternoon it was real sealed to be a fractured kneecap. he'll miss the remainder of the series. golden state won 108-100. game two of the finals is slated for sunday night at 8 o'clock. you can catch it here on 6abc. nascar hits pocono this week. kurt busch earned the pole during qual fies fire this afternoon. carl edwards will be on the outside of row one. djokovic up two sets to one. they'll finish it up tomorrow. the winner will face dan. >> the special olympic flame the flame of hope made its way through philadelphia today. our own brian taff was part of the run and the torch exchange at the art museum this morning

from center city the torch and the runners traveled to chester's ppl park. the torch is making its way across the country. it will finally be delivered in los angeles for the special olympics world games. the opening ceremony is set for july 25th and 6abc was a proud sponsor of today's torch relay event.

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>> if you are tired of the cool and wet weather done finished over. >> big changes coming our way perfect timing as well especially late saturday, sunday. as we look at double scan live radar we're cleaning the act up a bill. we saw a couple sprinkles and

patchy drizzle earlier today in parts around wilmington and salem and bucks county and southern new jersey and right now everyone is in the clear to. as we look at sky six live in atlantic city, this is one location if long beach islands to cape may it's a small window of real estate still seeing that thick cloud cover. your highlights we'll talk about that damp and dreary week we've been through that first week of june and there is a shower threat south of philadelphia for the first part of the weekend but then the rest is okay. here is that cool start to june in philadelphia. monday 76, only 58 on tuesday with that rain. 70 on wednesday thursday, 75 degrees today. temperatures are running close to six and a half degrees below average for june. that's after may's very warm month. in fact, it was the second warmest nay philadelphia's may in philadelphia's history. shower threat south of

philadelphia tomorrow could come between about 11 o'clock and 2 o'clock. that would be south of philadelphia mainly through the state of delaware and southern new jersey but north of philadelphia, that's where the sun is going to return first tomorrow after you wake up to some cloud cover. temperatures they're pretty warm north and west of philadelphia, upper 70's for the lehigh valley, 75 in reading, 75 philadelphia, 70 in millville. these locations seeing that sunshine this afternoon but without that sun and the northeast wind it is still only in the up are 50's to near 60 at the shore. as we look at satellite and radar that low to our south that has been stalled through the last 48 to 72 hours is pushing away. there's a cold front approaching from the north and west. that front slides through late tonight, early tomorrow morning so we'll call it partly cloudy tonight but those clouds will thicken up again after midnight. 57 trenton, 58 allentown, 61 in dover so another very comfortable night and that high as it comes in from the north it will bring the sun first to the poconos then to the city, then to the shore last tomorrow at 80 degrees

and then as that high settles in, it is a very beautiful end of the weekend on sunday, sunshine from start to finish, low humidity and temperatures at 78 degrees. if you're going to head up to the poconos for nascar this weekend looking great. sunshine coming back first thing tomorrow morning at 73. 70 degrees on sunday, very nice low humidity. and if you're going to be at the shore you're going to be twiddling your thumbs tomorrow morning and into the early afternoon saying, okay, when are the clouds going to break up? it will be pretty late tomorrow at 74. then full sun on sunday, 69 degrees with that wind coming in off the atlantic. as we look at the exclusive accuweather 7-day forecasts again a dreary start to your saturday but that sun will return from north to south in the afternoon at 80 degrees. gorgeous on sunday, 78. and then monday, tuesday next week 84 degrees, warm and a little humid. a front comes in late monday, lingers into tuesday morning with downpours and thunderstorms around but from

wednesday, thursday and beyond that sunshine is in control it turns toasty and more humid, upper 80's wednesday thursday and back to 90 on friday. >> summer is here. >> yeah. a chester county high school graduate has extra reason to celebrate. kevin wayian received his diploma from bishop shannahan in downingtown and with today's commencement he achieved a perfect attendance record not for this year but for the past 13 years. we congratulate him and all the seniors hoop graduated today. abc's world news tonight with david muir is next on channel six. "action news" continues at 10:00 on phl17 with brian taff adam joseph and ducis rodgers and please join us for "action news" at 11:00 here on channel six. for the entire "action news" team i'm jim gardner. we hope you'll join us at 11:00.

tonight, outbreak. tornadoes touching down. the stunning images. dozens of homes ripped apart. this pickup is lifted. the major accident scene, a train colliding with a truck. the passenger plane, the fire in the cockpit. the abc news exclusive. this boy and his onetime coach former speaker dennis hastert. what this woman says happened to her broken her brother. and they're being called the modern-day